BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of July 24, 2007

 

The Board met from 9:05 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to give updates on attendance at various meetings and to discuss the Rock Cove property, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.      Minutes for week of July 17, 2007.

2.      Corrected liquor license application for Carson Mineral Hot Springs.

3.      Acknowledge submission of grant application to Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Archives for funding for records imaging for Superior Court Clerk.

4.      Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Tuesday, August 21, 2007 to consider an application from Swift Creek Estates for a change of classification from Current Use Timber Land to Current Use Open Space for tax parcel 07-06-26-0-0-0700-00, 6.14 acres located in Section 27, Township 7 North, Range 6 East, WM.

5.      Contract amendment #1 with SLCA Consulting Civil Engineers to increase the amount of the contract by $25,000 due to increased Engineer’s time for plan review and Salmon Falls Park and Ride Project.

6.      Submission of 2008 Title II Application to the Resource Advisory Committee for continued funding for Skamania County-Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Noxious Weed Program.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve an Agent of Record letter appointing BCI Group, Inc to act as Agent of Record for the group health insurance plan(s) held by Skamania County.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of a letter from the City of North Bonneville requesting $30,000 in funding under the .08 Tax to be used for engineering and preparation of the bid documents for the Hamilton Creek Channel Restoration and Bank Stabilization Project.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2007-28 supporting the Department of Social and Health Services’ decision to de-designate the Human Services Council as the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve revised job descriptions for the Public Works Director and the County Engineer.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to set the Public Works Director job description salary at Range 33, effective July 1, 2007.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to set the County Engineer job description salary at Range 31, effective July 24, 2007.

 

Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on Rock Creek Slide/timber removal project, private road standards, personnel, Engineering projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Solid Waste, and Building Department.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding potential litigation from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 pm., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider dissolution of the Wind River Public Development Authority (PDA) as requested by resolution from the PDA.  Commissioner Pearce gave an overview of the dissolution process and thanked the PDA members for their commitment and volunteer work.  Comments from the public included future development of the Wind River Site, administration of grants, and tenant housing.  The hearing was closed to public comments.  The Board advised that Skamania County Economic Development Council would remain the primary contract for the Wind River Site, that all monies would continue to be used for the Wind River Site, and the County would continue moving forward with obtaining the water system.  The Board further advised that a resolution would be adopted by the County officially dissolving the Wind River Public Development Authority and cancelling the Charter.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider a request from Todd and Janie Perman for a variance to Skamania County Code 12.03.040(B)(1) Private Road Requirements for a proposed unnamed private road, located off of Mabee Mines Road, to allow a driving surface of less than the 20-foot surface dimension requirement and to allow a vertical clearance of less than the 14-foot requirement.  Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner gave a staff report and recommended approval with conditions addressing the road surface, turnouts, hammerhead turn around, and location of the gate at the beginning of the private road.  Arnold Bell, Public Works Engineering Technician recommended four turnouts in specified locations to allow clear lines of sight to the turnouts.  Todd Perman requested changes to Public Works recommendations for location of the turnouts.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  The Board discussed proposed conditions and locations of the turnouts.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the request for a variance to the private road standards with the following conditions:

1.      Minimum twelve foot all weather road surface (road surface is currently ten to eleven feet in width) with a three-foot clear zone on both sides of the road with no fir tree removal, minimum of fourteen-foot overhead clearance.

2.      Four turnouts constructed to county standards at locations as specified on Exhibit A of the Final Order.

3.      A variance is granted for setbacks of the hammerhead turn around constructed to county standards on proposed lot two, as noted on Exhibit A of the Final Order.

4.      The gate at the beginning of the private road must be a minimum of fifty feet from fog line, and the applicant/residents shall be responsible for any damage caused by emergency service responders.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a joint workshop with the Planning Commission to review and discuss the Planning Commission’s recommendation on the 2007 Swift Subarea Plan.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning Director gave a staff report.  Discussion included land use designations, lack of infrastructure and county roads in the area, volcanic hazardous area, and future review of the Plan, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss the Rock Creek Slide, project reviews, Stevenson well information, private road ordinance, Forest Service road maintenance agreement, City of Stevenson consultant reports, Washington State Association of County Engineer’s dues, and Williams Gas pipeline hydro-test, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss the Swift Subarea Plan and Future Forum, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to allow Pope Resources to record 20 acre land divisions by means of one deed.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the formation of the Council of Governments, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss the Courthouse Annex air conditioning, Courthouse remodel proposal, Rock Creek Community Service Building schematic, city water, Fairgrounds/Fair, and personnel, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to authorize the purchase of copper pipe to repair the Courthouse Annex air conditioning.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2007 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Assessor to discuss the purchase of a digital scanner/plotter for use the by the departments of the Assessor and Auditor, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2007 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Marlea McKenzie, Chief Civil Deputy to discuss a grant application to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development for funding for improvement of criminal justice and community response to violence against women, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve an application to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development for funding for improvement of criminal justice and community response to violence against women.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2007 and reconvened at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2007, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve a voucher to the Department of Revenue in the total amount of $1,491.78.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending July 26, 2007 in the total amount of $468,888.33.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON